Cross Country Cycling Classic facts for kids
| Race details | |
|---|---|
| Date | Holy Saturday, March–April |
| Region | Belize, Central America |
| Local name(s) | Cross Country |
| Nickname(s) | Cayo and Back, Ride for the Roses, The Holy Day |
| Discipline | Road |
| Type | Amateur, one-day |
| Organiser | Cycling Federation of Belize (formerly Belize and British Honduras Cycling Association) |
| Race director | Orson Butler |
| History | |
| First edition | 1928 |
| Editions | 92 (as of 2021) |
| First winner |  Elston Kerr |
| Most wins | 4 times:
|
| Most recent |  Hasani Hennis |
The Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic is a super exciting one-day cycling race held in Belize every year. It takes place during the Easter holidays. This race is Belize's biggest cycling event. It is also becoming famous around the world!
Contents
How the Race Works
The race kicks off at 6:00 AM on Holy Saturday morning. It starts near Mile 2 on Belize's George Price Highway. This road is a favorite for cycling events. Sometimes, there's a special lead-out from BTL Park in Belize City. The real race then begins on the highway.
Cyclists race all the way to San Ignacio. This town is in the Cayo District. They turn around there and head back to Belize City. The finish line is at the Marion Jones Sports Complex. Sometimes, it's on Princess Margaret Drive or Marine Parade. The race is about 142.4 miles long.
Only amateur cyclists can join, but they can be from any country. Riders from Mexico, Guatemala, Jamaica, the United Kingdom, and the United States have competed. Besides the main prizes, there are "station prizes" given out along the way. These are usually cash, farm goods, or gift certificates. Belizeans love to cheer for their local riders!
History of the Race
The First Idea for the Race
The idea for this amazing race came from a Belizean named Monrad Metzgen. In 1928, he saw many Belizeans using bicycles. They rode them to weekly cricket games in the countryside. This gave him an idea for a cycling "expedition" to San Ignacio. It would test how well cyclists could handle the tough Western Road.
He shared his idea with the Governor, who loved it! The Governor even offered a cup as a prize. Other important Belizeans also helped by donating money and trophies. A young surveyor, Henry C. Fairweather, also joined the team.
On April 2, 1928, a parade was held for the cyclists. The Governor and police chief were there. They wished the riders good luck. Two men from Cayo, Cyril Simmons and Leonard Neal, rode the whole distance beforehand. They proved it could be done! The official race started on April 5, 1928, at 5:00 AM.
The cyclists rode through Belize City and onto the Western Road. This road was very rough back then. The first rider to reach Cayo was Elston Kerr. He made it in about 13 hours and was cheered loudly! The riders stayed in Cayo for the Easter holidays. They celebrated, ate, and played cricket. They also visited nearby towns like Benque Viejo.
On April 9, the cyclists started their journey back. Their progress was shared by telephone. Everyone praised the riders for their good sportsmanship. Elston Kerr finished first in 21 hours and 29 minutes. Norris Wade was second, and Bertie Cleland was third. Walter Scott, only 13 years old, took 50 hours but still got a prize! The race was so successful that it led to the creation of the British Honduras Cycling Association.
1929-1950: Early Champions
The second race happened in 1929. Elston Kerr won again, becoming the first two-time champion. Norris Wade won in 1930. The 1932 race was canceled because of a big hurricane in 1931. Other early winners included brothers Robert and Goldburn Ferguson, Jose Sosa, Ben Sanchez, and Hendicott Croft.
In the mid-1940s, Altreith Smith and Aston Gill became top cyclists. Smith won the first one-day race in 1948. Aston Gill won four times between 1947 and 1951.
Sometimes, the race was held on the Northern Highway. This was due to road repairs on the Western Highway. Donald Lightburn won on the Belize-Corozal route in 1935 and 1936. This Northern Highway route was stopped after Mexico's Pablo Calderon won there in 1971.
Cross Country Classic Winners 1929-1950
| Year (Date) | Winner | Second Place |
|---|---|---|
| 1928 (April 5–9) | Elston Kerr | Norris Wade |
| 1929 (March 28-April 1) | Elston Kerr | David Graham |
| 1930 | Norris Wade | Elston Kerr |
| 1931 | Donald Lightburn | Anselm Waight |
| 1932 | No race (1931 hurricane) | |
| 1933 | Robert Ferguson | Donald Lightburn |
| 1934 | Robert Ferguson | Herbert Gentle |
| 1935 | Donald Lightburn | Dinsdale Lord |
| 1936 | Donald Lightburn | Hendicott Croft |
| 1937 | Jose Sosa | Jim Melin |
| 1938 | Jose Sosa | Luther Tucker |
| 1939 | Ben Sanchez | Jose Sosa |
| 1940 | Hendicott Croft | Ben Sanchez |
| 1941 | Goldburn Ferguson | Altreith Smith |
| 1942 | Goldburn Ferguson | Altreith Smith |
| 1943 | James Robateau | Charles Payne |
| 1944 | Robert Ferguson | Goldburn Ferguson |
| 1945 | Aston Gill | Robert Ferguson |
| 1946 | Aston Gill | Melford Ramsey |
| 1947 | Aston Gill | Colly Coffin |
| 1948 | Altreith Smith | Melford Ramsey |
| 1949 | Alvin Joseph | Aston Gill |
| 1950 | Aston Gill | Altreith Smith |
1951-1973: O'Brien and the Miguel Family
In 1951, a young cyclist named Jeffrey O'Brien became super dominant. He won four titles between 1951 and 1955. In 1953, something unusual happened. Race officials thought O'Brien was too good! They gave four younger riders a half-hour head start. O'Brien caught almost all of them, but Clinton Castillo, a junior, won. This story is now a famous part of Belizean cycling history.
After O'Brien retired in 1955, a new strong family appeared: the Miguels. Edward, Arthur, John, and Rudy Miguel won 11 out of 13 Classics! In 1958, John Miguel and Duncan Vernon finished at the exact same time. This was the only tie in the Classic's history. In 1961, Edward Miguel thought he had won and celebrated early. He was disqualified, and Duncan Vernon and Arthur Miguel won instead. John Miguel won the most titles in his family, with four.
Other winners during this time included Clinton Castillo and Kenneth Sutherland. In 1971, Pablo Calderon from Mexico became the first international winner. He won on the Northern Highway. In 1972, Anthony Hutchinson, known as "The Tank," won his first title. He won again in 1973, beating Kenrick Halliday, who was not yet famous.
Cross Country Classic Winners 1951-1973
| Year | Winner | Second Place |
|---|---|---|
| 1951 (April 13) | Jeffrey O'Brien | Altreith Smith |
| 1952 | Jeffrey O'Brien | Colly Coffin |
| 1953 (April 4) | Clinton Castillo (junior) | Jeffrey O'Brien |
| 1954 | Jeffrey O'Brien | Duncan Vernon |
| 1955 | Jeffrey O'Brien | Colly Coffin |
| 1956 | Edward Miguel | Duncan Vernon |
| 1957 | Duncan Vernon | Barry Parks |
| 1958 | Edward Miguel | Duncan Vernon |
| 1959 | Edward Miguel | Arthur Miguel |
| 1960 | John Miguel/Duncan Vernon (tie) | Anselm Ysaguirre (third) |
| 1961 | Duncan Vernon | Arthur Miguel |
| 1962 | Arthur Miguel | Anthony McClaren |
| 1963 | Lindsford Sutherland | Anthony McClaren |
| 1964 | John Miguel | L. Longsworth |
| 1965 | John Miguel | Duncan Vernon |
| 1966 | Kenneth Sutherland | Clinton Castillo |
| 1967 | Clinton Castillo | Louis Peyrefitte |
| 1968 | John Miguel | Rudy Miguel |
| 1969 | Rudy Miguel | Noel Gordon |
| 1970 | Rudy Miguel | L. Longsworth |
| 1971 | Pablo Calderon  Mexico |
Manolo Ruiz Mexico |
| 1972 | Anthony Hutchinson | Pablo Calderon Mexico |
| 1973 (April 19) | Anthony Hutchinson | Kenrick Halliday |
1974-1989: The Doctor, Sparks, and Americans
Kenrick Halliday, known as "The Doctor," became a cycling star. He was handsome and very talented. He won in 1974 and 1975. But the race is famous for its rivalries! Alfred "Sparks" Parks won in 1976 when Halliday was not there. "Doc" came back strong in 1977 and 1978, breaking an old record. But Parks won big in 1979, leading the race from start to finish. Halliday won four titles, and Parks won two.
In 1980, Alexander Vasquez won a close sprint finish. In 1981, Alpheus Williams, a young talent, arrived. He won three Classics before leaving Belize in 1985. His teammate Lindy Gillett set a record in 1983. He became the youngest winner at 18. Robert Mossiah and Matthew Smiling won in 1985 and 1986.
Then, in 1987, American cyclists started to win. Ward Zauner broke Gillett's record in 1987. Steve Steward and David Licker took the top spots in 1988. Frank "Mac" McCannon won in 1989. These American riders were faster. Belizean fans wondered who could beat them.
Cross Country Classic Winners 1974-1989
| Year (Date) | Winner | Second Place |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 (April 13) | Kenrick Halliday | Alfred Parks |
| 1975 (March 29) | Kenrick Halliday | Eugene King |
| 1976 (April 16) | Alfred Parks | Jose Rendon Mexico |
| 1977 (April 9) | Kenrick Halliday | Alfred Parks |
| 1978 (March 26) | Kenrick Halliday | Alfred Parks |
| 1979 (April 13) | Alfred Parks | Glen Gordon |
| 1980 (April 5) | Alexander Vasquez | Anthony Morris |
| 1981 (April 18) | Alpheus Williams | Joslyn Chavarria |
| 1982 (April 10) | Alpheus Williams | Vincent Smith |
| 1983 (April 2) | Linsford Gillett | Vincent Smith |
| 1984 (April 21) | Alpheus Williams | Karl Smith |
| 1985 (April 6) | Robert Mossiah | Warren Coye |
| 1986 (March 29) | Matthew Smiling | Michael Lewis |
| 1987 (April 18) | Ward Zauner  United States |
Charles Lewis |
| 1988 (April 2) | Steve Stewart United States |
David Licker United States |
| 1989 (March 25) | Frank "Mac" Cannon United States |
Michael Lewis |
1990-Present: The Modern Era
In 1990, the local cycling group limited international riders. They hoped a "Great Belizean Hope" would beat the Americans. That hope was Charles Lewis! He broke Zauner's record. When McCannon brought Americans back in 1991, Lewis won again. He broke his own record and made Belize proud.
This started a "Belizean renaissance" until 1995. Charles's brother Michael, Collet "Bunas" Maheia, Orlando Chavarria, and others defended Belize's honor. There were also exciting and controversial finishes. In 1993, Roque Matus thought he won and stopped riding. But the finish line was actually further ahead! This allowed Maheia to win. In 1994, Charles Lewis won. Then, his brother Michael had an incident with a truck. This caused a big pile-up of riders.
Since 1996, international cyclists have often won. American riders have won 8 Classics. Mexico and Guatemala have won three each. Belize has won five. Ernest Meighan won twice (1997, 2001). Shane Vasquez won in 2006. Giovanni Choto won in 2012. Darnell Barrow was the first Belizean to win two years in a row since 1995.
Often, younger Belizean riders or less experienced foreign riders lead early. Then, stronger, more famous cyclists take over. Many Belizean teams bring in foreign riders. This can make the public upset if a foreigner wins. But it also brings new talent and challenges Belizean cyclists.
For example, in 2007 and 2008, Team Western Spirit brought American Boyd Johnson. In 2007, Johnson won, and the course record was broken. In 2008, foreign riders led much of the race. Ryan Baumann from the U.S. won alone. The race finished on Marine Parade Boulevard due to construction. The course record was broken again!
In 2009, Mexicans Carlos Lopez and Carlos Manuel Hernandez won first and second place. Cuba's Frank Travieso was third. Lopez was the first Mexican winner since 2002. Belize had not won for four years.
In 2010, Miguel Perez from Guatemala won. Wilmen Bravo from Venezuela was second. In 2011, Luis Santizo from Guatemala won. He surprised everyone with a solo break.
But in 2012, Giovanni Choto ended Belize's losing streak! He rode alone for 75 miles and won. One year later, Darnell Barrow won in a close sprint finish.
In 2014, foreign riders won again. Juan Pablo Magallanes from Mexico won a sprint finish.
Cross Country Classic Winners 1990–present
| Year | Winner | Second Place |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 (April 14) | Charles Lewis | Ronald Sutherland |
| 1991 (March 30) | Charles Lewis | Christopher Eash United States |
| 1992 (April 18) | Michael Lewis | Leancy Gomez  Cuba |
| 1993 (April 10) | Collet Maheia | Roque Matus |
| 1994 (April 2) | Charles Lewis | Bobby Lee United States |
| 1995 (April 15) | Orlando Chavarria | Gustavo Carillo  Guatemala |
| 1996 (April 6) | Chris Blake United States |
Gustavo Carillo Guatemala |
| 1997 (March 29) | Ernest Meighan | Bobby Lee United States |
| 1998 (April 11) | Ben Barnard United States |
Gustavo Carillo Guatemala |
| 1999 (April 3) | Chris Fredericks United States |
Steve Muejack United States |
| 2000 (April 22) | Gustavo Carillo Guatemala |
Ben Jones United States |
| 2001 (April 14) | Ernest Meighan | Andrew Smiling |
| 2002 (March 30) | Eduardo Uribe Mexico |
Gustavo Carillo Guatemala |
| 2003 (April 19) | Chris Harkey United States |
Abel Jochola Guatemala |
| 2004 (April 10) | Chris Harkey United States |
Shane Vasquez |
| 2005 (March 26) | William Elliston United States |
Michael Lewis |
| 2006 (April 15) | Shane Vasquez | Jose Robles Colombia |
| 2007 (April 7) | Boyd Johnson United States |
Anthony Taylor  Jamaica/ United States |
| 2008 (March 22) | Ryan Baumann United States |
Michael Lewis |
| 2009 (April 11) | Carlos Lopez Mexico |
Carlos Manuel Hernandez Mexico |
| 2010 (April 3) | Miguel Perez Guatemala |
Wilmen Bravo Isaga  Venezuela |
| 2011 (April 23) | Luis Alberto Santizo Guatemala |
Carlos Gabriel Hernandez Guatemala |
| 2012 (April 7) | Giovanni Choto | Brandon Cattouse |
| 2013 (March 30) | Darnell Barrow | Juan Pablo Magallanes Mexico |
| 2014 (April 19) | Juan Pablo Magallanes Mexico |
Alejandro Padilla Miranda Guatemala |
| 2015 (April 4) | Justin Williams  Belize/ United States |
Scottie Weiss United States |
| 2016 (March 26) | Alejandro Padilla Miranda Guatemala |
Jose Maria Julio Padilla Miranda Guatemala |
| 2018 (March 31) | Justin Williams Belize/ United States |
Patrick Raines United States |
| 2019 (April 20) | Julio Padilla Miranda Guatemala |
Alex Rony Julaju Guatemala |
| 2020 - 2021 | No Race (COVID-19) | |
| 2022 (April 16) | Hasani Hennis  Anguilla |
John Delong United States |
Upcoming Race Dates
- 2023: April 8
Junior, Female, and Other Races
The Cross Country Classic became very popular. So, the local Cycling Association decided to add more races! Junior and Female versions of the event started in the 1990s. They rode on the same day as the main race. But they covered a shorter distance and finished earlier.
In the early years, Camille Solis dominated the female Classic. She won six titles! That's the most for any Classic participant, male or female. She retired in 1999. Female cycling then slowed down until new riders brought it back. The female Classic now runs in May on Mother's Day. The junior Classic runs a few weeks before the big race.
New races have also been added for Masters' (older) cyclists. There are also races for Non-elite (unregistered) cyclists. When the female races first started, they covered a much longer distance. They rode from Mile 25 to San Ignacio and back. Even though the males always finished first, the crowd cheered loudly when the female riders entered the stadium. Thanks to Camille Solis, female cycling in Belize is growing! Many top teams now have at least one female rider.
Classic Records
- Distance: 5 hours, 40 minutes, 12 seconds (Ryan Baumann, 2008)
- Distance to San Ignacio (65.7 miles): 2 hours, 31 minutes, 27 seconds (Marcos Antonio Rios, 2009)
- Distance to Roaring Creek (47.4 miles): 1 hour 40 minutes, 3 seconds (Marcos Antonio Rios, 2009)
- Most championships (male): 4
- Aston Gill (1945–47, 1950)
- Jeffrey O'Brien (1951, 1952, 1954–55)
- John Miguel (1960, 1964–65, 1968)
- Kenrick Halliday (1974–75, 1977–78)
- Most consecutive championships: 3 (Gill, 1945–47)
- 8-hour barrier: Jeffrey O'Brien, 7 hours 44 minutes, 1954
- 7-hour barrier: Lindy Gillett, 6 hours 30 minutes, 1983
- 6-hour barrier: Charles Lewis, 5 hours 57 minutes, 1994
See also
- Cross-country cycling
